Some climbs are about far more than reaching a summit. In 2014, Luke Blundell-Pophfer joined a Peak Potential Adventures team on Mt Kilimanjaro carrying the ashes of his close friend Scott.
Luke had trained for months before joining the seven-person team on the Machame Route. The climb tested the group through altitude, changing weather, long days and the Barranco Wall before the final overnight push toward Uhuru Peak at 5,895 metres.
Reaching the summit carried a significance beyond the normal sense of achievement. Luke had brought Scott with him for one final adventure, and at the top he said goodbye and scattered his friend’s ashes. The team also marked its support for Make-A-Wish, which had been part of the motivation behind the expedition.
The story remains one of PPA’s most personal Kilimanjaro memories: a reminder that the reason someone chooses a mountain can matter every bit as much as the summit itself.
Want more stories like this? Subscribe for occasional expedition news and useful preparation advice.
Get Adventure Updates by email →